Open House Perth: Peek inside Perth’s most beautiful and iconic homes

9 Nov 2017 Forrestfield 0 Comment

Ever wanted to take a peek inside some of Perth’s most beautiful and iconic homes? Well, now you can.

A bevy of Perth homeowners are throwing open their doors giving architectural enthusiasts, design buffs and stickybeaks the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look into their personal sanctuaries on November 11 and 12 as part of Open House Perth.

Open House Perth is a free annual event that allows the public into private homes and city buildings over one weekend.

Creative director Carly Barrett says this year’s Open House Perth line-up included a record 104 destinations, including 35 new additions to the schedule.

DUKE HOUSE: 136a Duke Street, Scarborough

Barrett says the success of the Open House Perth phenomenon had been unprecedented, with 220,000 visits since it started in 2011.

“Every year the event presents new challenges and opportunities,” she says.

“This staggering success is due to the passion and enthusiasm of our team, volunteers, board and the amazing building owners who agree to showcase their properties in WA’s largest festival of design.

“Whether you like a particular building style doesn’t matter, because good design is something that transcends time and style.”

The weekend will feature rooftops, heritage buildings, residential masterpieces and skyscrapers offering the best views of Perth.

Interesting inclusions to the schedule include Anzac Cottage in Mount Hawthorn, which was once home to a wounded World War I soldier and his family in 1916 and Victoria Park’s dormant state heritage-listed Edward Millen House, which has hosted health services, including midwifery, repatriation of soldiers, psychiatric treatment and care for autistic children.

Also on show is former Prime Minister John Curtin’s family home in Cottesloe and “House A” – the first of three carbon neutral dwellings in Scarborough made from content concrete panels and whitewashed recycled brick.

The Open House initiative began in London back in 1992 as a small not-for-profit organisation founded by a number of architects hoping to promote the value of good design. Perth joined the revolution in 2011.